ADJOURNED REGULAR CHICO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - July 8, 2025 Minutes
1.1. Call to order - Mayor Reynolds called the July 8, 2025 - Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, California.
1.2. Invocation - Chaplain MaryAnn Hawkins
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.4. Roll Call
Present: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds
Absent: Winslow
1.5. July 8, 2025, Closed Session Announcement - City Attorney John Lam City Attorney Lam announced that Council met with staff in Closed Session regarding the following items:
2.1. Labor Negotiations - Council was briefed and direction was provided; no final action taken.
2.2. Existing Litigation - Warren v Chico - Council was briefed; no action was taken.
2.3. Existing Litigation - Workers Compensation Claim - Council was briefed; direction was provided.
2.4. Existing Litigation - Believe in Chico v. Chico - Council was briefed; no action was taken.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
Addressing the Council on the Consent Agenda were Samuel Barber and Grace Marvin.
A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Mayor Reynolds to approve the Consent Agenda, as read, with Item 2.3. removed from Consent for further discussion and with it noted for the record that Councilmember O'Brien announced that he was disqualified on Item 2.4. due to a conflict of interest of working with BINTF.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
2.1. RESOLUTION NO. 34-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO LEVYING
ASSESSMENT INSTALLMENTS IN LIEU OF THE PAYMENT OF SEWER SYSTEM CONNECTION FEES INCIDENT TO THE CONNECTION OF PREMISES TO THE CITY SEWER SYSTEM 1735 MEADOW ROAD - ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. 043-070-053
The Public Works Director-Engineering recommended adoption of a resolution authorizing sewer assessments to be collected on the tax roll, in lieu of full and immediate payment of the sewer system connection fees. (Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director - Engineering)
2.2. ACCEPTANCE OF COST REPORT FOR THE 2025 WEED ABATEMENT AND LOT CLEARING
PROGRAM
At its 5/6/25 meeting, the City Council adopted a resolution which required the Community Development Department to abate those properties not in compliance with the requirement to abate weeds as of 6/01/25, and to keep an account of the work done by the City contractor to submit to the City Council for confirmation.
The cost report for the 2025 Weed Abatement and Lot Clearing program was submitted for the Council's July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|1
Since this was approved, the owners of the parcels will be given 30 days to pay for the cost of the abatement. Property owners who do not pay will have a lien placed on their property. (Charlene Durkin, Code Enforcement Supervisor)
2.3. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING AN APPEAL AND
REVERSING THE AIRPORT COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF THE LEASE OF AIRPORT HANGAR SPACE KNOWN AS 100 LOCKHEED TO AERO-FLITE, INC.
Council was asked to adopt a resolution upholding Mark Spelts appeal of the Airport Commission's approval of the hangar lease to Aero-Flite, Inc. at 100 Lockheed. (Erik Gustafson, Public Works Director - Operations & Maintenance)
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Councilmember Hawley for further discussion because of concerns that not all the facts were properly communicated to Council and that they didn't have enough time to discuss these things. A concern was also expressed that it was her understanding that the City had already been in negotiations with AeroFlite and they had signed paperwork and sent it back to the City in order to move forward in that process. She felt like in either scenario, the Council would be going back on their word. Secondly, some evidence that was brought forward from the appellant Mr. Speltz, related to the City cashing checks while he was currently occupying the hanger despite him having been a long-term tenant and should have understood that when you occupy a hanger even if you don't have a signed lease, you should be paying the rent on that hanger. She was open to discussing this further.
Councilmember Goldstein stated for the record that this had been a difficult decision and that she thought the Council was weighing on one hand the City's word to one person and therefore the Council's perception of being trustworthy with our word to people who want to do business with us and on the other hand basically our word and our reliability to another company and putting our airport to the highest and best use, which is also part of our obligation to our taxpayers. She also stated that she felt there may have been perhaps a perception that the appellant was working with this other company to work out some kind of agreement for use of some of the space and then Council was told afterwards that had not happened. She felt that she was not sure she had all the most accurate information at that meeting.
Councilmember van Overbeek stated that he felt that Councilwoman Hawley was suggesting that Council reconsider this item which should then happen under "Councilmember Requests" at the end of the meeting.
City Attorney Lam stated that this was not a reconsideration of the public hearing, where considerable discussion was held and Council directed staff to bring back a resolution with findings consistent with that vote, which is what is before the Council at this time.
Councilmember Hawley asked City Manager Sorensen for clarification regarding whether AreoFlite would be open to renegotiating leasing that space or is that a past deal or too late.
City Manager Sorensen stated that actual negotiations had already concluded. AeroFlite did go through the process; obtained Airport Commission approval; and was still interested. They are looking to expand their operations in Chico and have already signed the agreement. The City has encountered this situation in the past, more with land use decisions where the City gets to this phase and the item before Council is a resolution to uphold the appeal. If the resolution that was being discussed passed, then the decision of the Airport Commission decision to approve the lease with AeroFlite would be reversed. If the resolution does not pass, then the Airport Commission's approval of the lease with AeroFlite would stand.
City Attorney Lam stated for the record that yes, this is correct, but that the it should be clear in the record that if the Council was not to adopt this particular resolution, the decision of the Airport Commission would stand.
A motion was made by Mayor Reynolds and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to not adopt the resolution upholding the appeal.
This motion and second was withdrawn after Councilmember O'Brien asked for clarification that a "yes" vote would uphold Mr. Spelts' appeal and a "no" vote would be going back to the original agreement that was made with AeroFlite. City Attorney Lam stated that it was correct.
July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|2
A new motion was made by Mayor Reynolds and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO APPROVING AN APPEAL AND
REVERSING THE AIRPORT COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF THE LEASE OF AIRPORT HANGAR SPACE KNOWN AS 100 LOCKHEED TO AERO-FLITE, INC.
The motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: O'Brien, van Overbeek
NOES: Goldstein, Hawley, Bennett, Reynolds
ABSENT:
Due to the resolution to uphold the appeal failed, a resolution to deny the appeal will be brought back and placed on the next Consent Agenda.
2.4. APPROVAL OF THE 2025/26 BUTTE INTERAGENCY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE (BINTF) PROPOSED
GENERAL BUDGET
Approval of the 2025/26 Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) Proposed General Budget. In 2002, the City Council approved consolidation of the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) and Butte Anti-Drug and Gang Special Supervision (BASS) Unit. The Memorandum of Understanding provides that each participating agency shall approve or disapprove the BINTF budget no later than June 30th of each year. (Billy Aldridge, Chief of Police)
Councilmember O'Brien recused himself on this matter due to a financial conflict of interest related to his work with BINTF. He did not participate in this matter.
2.5. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION/BUDGET MODIFICATION NO. 2025-FD-002
The City Council considered approving a Supplemental Appropriation/Budget Modification that decreases the fund balance from Private Development-Fire (Fund 874) budget by $8, 178 and appropriate funds to Fire Prevention Staff Vehicle (Capital Project 50508) to align with actual costs of the emergency lights/siren/speaker upfit package. (Steve Standridge, Fire Chief)
2.6. AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF CHICO BUDGET, APPENDICES B-1 AND B-3, AND AN UPDATE TO
THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
An amendment to the City of Chico's 2025/26 Fiscal Year Budget Appendix B-1 and B-3, modifying the full- time position allocations for the City Manager's Office and amending the Assistant City Manager job description and pay scale. (Mark Sorensen, City Manager)
2.7. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF 5/20/25, 6/3/25, AND 6/17/25
2.8. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - Item 2.3.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Members of the public addressed the Council on any matters not already listed on the agenda and were within the jurisdiction's authority. The Council was prohibited from taking any action at this meeting on requests made under this section of the agenda.
Addressing the Council were Catherine Cottle, Michelle Cooper, Ann Bykerk-Kauffman, Matthew Willi, Sam Barber, Laura Berry, Julian Zener, Charles Withuhn, Loree Monroe, Clark Edgeworth, AnaRose Hebein, Ryan Encarnacian, and Richard Roth.
July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Page|3
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. HEARING ORDERING THE ABANDONMENT AND VACATION OF PORTIONS OF WEST FIRST
STREET, WEST SECOND STREET AND CEDAR STREET PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY At its meeting of June 3, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 29-25 stating its intent to abandon the public right-of-way and adjacent alley/public utility easements and set the public hearing for this meeting. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Director of Public Works - Engineering) The Mayor opened the hearing to the public. No one spoke and the hearing was closed.
A motion was made by Councilmember Hawley and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 35-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ORDERING
ABANDONMENT AND VACATION OF THE WEST FIRST STREET, WEST SECOND STREET, AND
CEDAR STREET PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY PUBLIC STREET PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND SERVICE EASEMENTS VACATION LAW (APN: 004-033-005) The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, , Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
4.2. HEARING ORDERING FORMATION OF MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT A54 - HABITAT FOR
HUMANITY SUBDIVISION
A condition of approval of a final subdivision map required property owner, Habitat for Humanity of Butte County, to provide for funding the future replacement and ongoing operation maintenance costs of stormwater facilities, street trees, and landscaping, which are of special benefit to the subdivision. The new subdivision is located on Wisconsin Street, APN 005-391-014. (Report - Brendan Ottoboni, Public Works Director - Engineering)
The Mayor opened the hearing to the public. No one spoke and the hearing was closed.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Bennett and seconded by Councilmember Goldstein to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 36-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ORDERING
FORMATION OF A MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND APPROVING A DECLARATION OF
CONDITIONS, COVENANTS, AND RESTRICTIONS RELATING THERETO - CITY OF CHICC MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. A54 - HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUBDIVISION The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
5. REGULAR AGENDA
5.1. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 07-25, APPROVE REVISED PBID BUDGET, APPROVE REVISED ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND APPROVE CITY GENERAL BENEFIT PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,738.15 July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Pagel4
The Downtown Chico Property Based Improvement District ("Downtown Chico PBID") is the organization that provides enhanced maintenance for the downtown area in addition to otherwise generally improving the downtown area. This organization is funded through an annual assessment of properties within the area serviced by the Downtown Chico PBID. On March 18, 2025, the City Council approved the PBID's request for a 5% assessment increase for 2026. Since that time, the PBID has determined that an increase is not necessary and is withdrawing their previous request for an assessment increase. (Report - City Manager Sorensen)
A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 37-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 07-25; APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN CHICO PROPERTY BASED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT'S REVISED FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET
AND LEVYING ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO THE PROPERTY AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LAW OF 1994
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
5.2. INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT APPROVAL AND ACTION At its meeting of 06/02/2025 the Internal Affairs Committee discussed the items listed on the agenda and made the following recommendations:
A. FEASIBILITY OF ONE-HOUR FREE PARKING
The Committee discussed the feasibility report and made the following recommendation on the proposed one-hour free parking concept.
A motion was made by Councilmember Goldstein and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to accept the Internal Affairs Committee recommendation that the Council stop pursuing avenues to offer one-hour free parking and direct staff to focus on improving the overall parking experience downtown by 1) increasing educational outreach regarding the parking kiosks, parking pass program, and parking mobile app; 2) creating clear, consistent, color-coordinated parking signage, adding additional directions on parking kiosks; 3) update and sync the parking portal and website to create a single source for downtown vendor data entry and current updated parking information-including educational resources; 4) research feasibility of tiered parking rates; and 5) collaborate with the police department parking enforcement specialists to reduce the cycle time for enforcement in the premium zones to discourage parking shorten The omnite 3450 violations. The Committee also recommended a follow-up in six months to determine the success of the The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
B. SPEED SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS
The Committee discussed the speed surveys and reviewed Traffic Regulation Amendment (TRA) #869 with the various proposed speed limits related to each location. Adoption of Traffic Regulation Amendments involving speed limits required adoption of a resolution of the City Council.
Addressing the Council on this item was Jesse Horgan.
July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Pagel5
A motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett to accept the Internal Affairs Committee (3-0) recommendation to: 1) approve and adopt the following resolution adopting Traffic Regulation Amendment (TRA) #869:
RESOLUTION NO. 38-25 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICO ADOPTING TRAFFIC REGULATION AMENDMENT NO. 869; and
2) direct staff to review the following corridors to determine if lowering the speed limit could be justified and report their findings back to the Committee: a) Cohasset Road between Esplanade & Mangrove; b) Park Avenue between Humboldt Avenue & E. 20th Street; and c) W. East Avenue between Hwy 99 & Esplanade.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
5.3. COUNCILMEMBER HAWLEY REQUEST - DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES FORMULA At its meeting of 6/3/25, the Council voted to agendize a discussion regarding the formula used for impact fees and whether there are decreases when the index decreases. If decreases do not happen, would that be just a policy decision?
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Bennett and seconded by Councilmember Hawley to refer this discussion to the Finance Committee for further discussion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
5.4. ITEMS ADDED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
6. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS - The following reports and communication items were provided for the Council's information. No action could be taken on items under this section unless the Council agreed to include it on a subsequent agenda.
6.1. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Verbal Report, City Manager Sorensen
6.2. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT AND BUDGET MONITORING REPORTS - Information Only Financial Reports and Budget Monitoring Reports through May 31, 2025.
COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS - Pursuant to AP&P 10-10, Councilmembers could verbally request an item to be agendized at a future meeting. After stating what the item would be, a majority vote of Council was needed in order for staff to agendize.
Reconsideration of Action Taken on South Park Drive Item - Councilmember van Overbeek At the request of Councilmember van Overbeek, who had voted in the majority (4-3) on this matter, a motion was made by Councilmember van Overbeek and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien to agendize the reconsideration of the Council's action to select Option 2 on Item 5.1. South Park Drive from the meeting of June 17, 2025.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goldstein, Hawley, O'Brien, van Overbeek, Bennett, Reynolds NOES: None
ABSENT: Winslow
July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 6
ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 7:20 p.m. to Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or 5:30 p.m. followed by the Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico
Date Approved: /drp 8/19/25
nitrated Pressen
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 7
CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CHICO CITY COUNCIL
July 8, 2025 - Minutes
1. CALL TO ORDER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER - Mayor Reynolds called the Closed Session to order at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the matters listed on the agenda that included the following items: Labor Negotiations, Existing Litigation Warren v Chico, Pending Litigation item related to a Workers Comp Claim; and Existing CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - There were no speakers on any of the items. Councilmember van Overbeek recused himself on Item 2.4. related to Believe in Chico v Chico due to residing within 500 ft of the area being discussed. He did not attend that portion of the Closed Session.
2.1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6 - Council was briefed; direction was provided.
Negotiator: Laura Izon (Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo law firm (AALRR)) & Barbara Martin, Administrative Services Director
Employee Organizations: Chico Public Safety Association, Stationary Engineers Local 39, Chico Fire Management Employees, Service Employees International Union - Trades & Crafts CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): USDC (ED) Case No. 2:21-cv-00640 - MCE-DMC: Warren v. Chico - Council was briefed on this matter.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PENDING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1). Case: XXXXX vs. City of Chico: (WC Claim No. 196087069-001) - Council was briefed; direction was provided.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION: Pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): BCSC: Case No. 25CV01135 - Believe in Chico v. City of Chico - Council was provided an update on this matter.
2.5. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA - None
3. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting on July 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 421 Main Street, Chico, CA.
Date Approved: /drp 8/19/25
delane hesses
Deborah R. Presson, MMC, City Clerk
July 8, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 8